Bloomin’ invasive plants

IT’S the time of year when the rhododendron blooms, standing out from most other plants in all its deep red, purple and cerise splendour. The rhodo looks magnificent and little wonder that it get a mention in romantic songs. However, the wild rhodo is in a category of plants with a bad name: “invasive species’’ that were brought into the country.

Let’s stress that not all invasive species are undesireable, but the rhodo is a threat to other plants and has been the target of an eradication campaign in Killarney National Park that has been going on for well over 30 years.

Ironically, the rhodo is, arguably, the best looking plant in the park at present, even if hundreds of thousands of euros are spent each year in efforts to remove it. Problem is that it spreads very quickly and prevents the regeneration of oak and yew woods.